US7325241B2 - Optical disk drive with anti-tilt tray mechanism - Google Patents

Optical disk drive with anti-tilt tray mechanism Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US7325241B2
US7325241B2 US11/059,527 US5952705A US7325241B2 US 7325241 B2 US7325241 B2 US 7325241B2 US 5952705 A US5952705 A US 5952705A US 7325241 B2 US7325241 B2 US 7325241B2
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
tray
optical disk
disk drive
fulcrum
main body
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US11/059,527
Other versions
US20050198653A1 (en
Inventor
Chen-Jung Chen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pegatron Corp
Original Assignee
Asustek Computer Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asustek Computer Inc filed Critical Asustek Computer Inc
Assigned to ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC. reassignment ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHEN, CHEN-JUNG
Publication of US20050198653A1 publication Critical patent/US20050198653A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7325241B2 publication Critical patent/US7325241B2/en
Assigned to PEGATRON CORPORATION reassignment PEGATRON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Adjusted expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B17/00—Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor
    • G11B17/02—Details
    • G11B17/04—Feeding or guiding single record carrier to or from transducer unit
    • G11B17/05—Feeding or guiding single record carrier to or from transducer unit specially adapted for discs not contained within cartridges
    • G11B17/053—Indirect insertion, i.e. with external loading means
    • G11B17/056—Indirect insertion, i.e. with external loading means with sliding loading means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a short optical disk drive, and in particular to a short optical disk drive with a vertical anti-tilt tray.
  • FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional optical disk drive.
  • the conventional optical disk drive 10 has a main body 11 and a tray 12 .
  • the tray 12 has a recess 13 receiving optical discs.
  • the main body 11 of the optical disk drive 10 has a carrier 14 and a driving module 17 .
  • a spindle motor 15 and a pickup head 16 are disposed on the carrier 14 . After the driving module 17 moves the tray 12 holding an optical disc into the main body 11 and lifts the carrier 14 , the spindle motor 15 rotates the optical disc, and data is read therefrom or written thereto by the. pickup head 16 .
  • FIG. 1B shows a conventional optical disk drive with the tray ejected.
  • the main body 11 of the optical disk drive comprises two fulcrums 18 and top protrusions 19 in the front on either side, guiding the tray 12 along track 121 .
  • the main body 11 and tray 12 of the conventional optical disk drive comprises a length requiring that a large portion of the tray 12 remain in the main body 11 when the tray 12 is open.
  • the top protrusions 19 can be disposed internally, such that the horizontal distance d between each top protrusion 19 and fulcrum 18 is longer, preventing obvious vertical tilt when the tray 12 is ejected.
  • FIG. 2A shows a conventional short optical disk drive. Because the main body 21 and the tray 22 of the conventional short optical disk drive 20 are shortened, only a short portion of the tray 22 remains in the main body 21 when the tray 22 is open. The top protrusions 29 are close to the front edge of the main body 21 , providing sufficient support for the tray 22 . The horizontal distance d′ between each top protrusion 29 and fulcrum 28 , however, is shortened as shown in FIG.
  • an embodiment of the invention provides an optical disk drive with an improved tray structure, reducing vertical tilt thereof and noise when the tray closes.
  • An embodiment of the invention provides an optical disk drive having an anti-tilt tray.
  • the optical disk drive comprises a top protrusion, a fulcrum and a tray.
  • the tray is disposed on the main body of the optical disk drive along tracks constrained by the top protrusion and the fulcrum.
  • the tray is movable between a first position and a second position.
  • Each track of the tray has a gradually thickened area.
  • the tray is in the second position, one of the top protrusion and the fulcrum are pressed in the gradually thickened area. Once the fulcrum touches the thickened area, the gap can be reduced. For the same reason, while one of the top protrusion contacts the thickened area, the gap can also be reduced. Altogether, the gap between the track and the top protrusion is reduced, preventing vertical tilting.
  • the tray is received in the optical disk drive when in the first position, and opened when the tray is in the second position.
  • the ratio of a first horizontal distance between the fulcrum and a front end of the tray to a second horizontal distance between the top protrusion and the fulcrum is between 8 and 15.
  • the thickened area thickens gradually from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.
  • FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional optical disk drive
  • FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a conventional optical disk drive when the tray is open;
  • FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a conventional short optical disk drive
  • FIG. 2B is a schematic view of the conventional short optical disk drive when the tray is open;
  • FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the short optical disk drive of an embodiment of the invention when the tray is open;
  • FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of area a in FIG. 3A ;
  • FIG. 3C is a top view of the tray of FIG. 3A ;
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of the short optical disk drive when the tray is open.
  • FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of area b of FIG. 4A .
  • FIG. 3A shows the short optical disk drive of an embodiment of the invention with the tray ejected.
  • part of the housing 31 of the optical disk drive 30 is partially cut away to show the inner structure of the main body 31 and the tray 32 .
  • the optical disk drive 30 comprises a main body 31 and a tray 32 .
  • the optical disk drive 30 also comprises the spindle motor, pickup head, and driving module as shown in FIG. 2A .
  • the main body 31 has two top protrusions 35 and fulcrums 38 (in FIG. 4A ) on either side at the front thereof.
  • the tray 32 has two tracks 34 on either side guided between the top protrusions 35 and fulcrums, movable between a first position and a second position. The tray 32 is received in the main body 31 when in the first position, and open when in the second position.
  • the circular recess 33 is to receive an optical disk.
  • FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the area a of FIG. 3A .
  • the tray 32 has elastic elements 37 on the sidewall near the rear portion.
  • the main body 31 has a stopper 36 near the top protrusions 35 to block the elastic elements 37 when the tray 32 is open, preventing the tray 32 from departing from the main body 31 of the optical disk drive 30 .
  • FIG. 3C is a top view of the tray of FIG. 3A .
  • the tracks 34 of the tray 32 have a thickened area 341 respectively at the middle-rear portion thereof.
  • the track 34 within the thickened areas 341 is thicker than the other portion thereof, such that the top protrusions 35 and the fulcrums enter the thick areas 341 when the tray 32 is open.
  • the reduced gaps between the top protrusions 35 and the tracks 34 of the tray 32 prevent tilting for the short optical disk drive 30 of the invention.
  • FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of the short optical disk drive when the tray 32 is open
  • FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of area a.
  • the main body 31 of the optical disk drive has two top protrusions 35 and fulcrums 38 , guiding the tracks 34 of the tray 32 therebetween horizontally.
  • the top protrusions 35 and the fulcrums 38 contact the thickened areas 341 of the track 34 , such that gaps between the top protrusions 35 and the tracks 34 of the tray 32 are reduced.
  • the length of the short optical disk drive of the invention is 170 mm, and the length of the tray 32 is 165 mm.
  • the tray 32 must be extended from the main body 31 for 140 mm to receive CDs of diameter 120 mm.
  • the horizontal distance between each pair of top protrusions 35 and fulcrums 38 is between 8 and 20 mm, whereby the ratio of a first horizontal distance D between the fulcrum 38 and the front end of the tray 32 to a second horizontal distance t between the top protrusion 35 and the fulcrum 38 is between 8 and 15 when the tray 32 is in the second position.
  • areas 341 are gradually increased from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.
  • the gap between each track 34 and top protrusion 35 is gradually reduced during tray 32 is moving back toward the optical disk drive, reducing jitter and noise.

Landscapes

  • Feeding And Guiding Record Carriers (AREA)

Abstract

An optical disk drive with an anti-tilt tray. The optical disk drive has a top protrusion, a fulcrum and a tray disposed on the main body of the optical disk drive along a track constrained by the top protrusion and the fulcrum. The tray is movable between a first position and a second position. Each track of the tray has a gradually thickened area. When the tray is in the second position, the top protrusion and the fulcrum contact the gradually thickened area, such that the gap between the track and the top protrusion is reduced, preventing the tray from vertical tilting.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a short optical disk drive, and in particular to a short optical disk drive with a vertical anti-tilt tray.
2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional optical disk drive. In FIG. 1A, the conventional optical disk drive 10 has a main body 11 and a tray 12. The tray 12 has a recess 13 receiving optical discs. The main body 11 of the optical disk drive 10 has a carrier 14 and a driving module 17. A spindle motor 15 and a pickup head 16 are disposed on the carrier 14. After the driving module 17 moves the tray 12 holding an optical disc into the main body 11 and lifts the carrier 14, the spindle motor 15 rotates the optical disc, and data is read therefrom or written thereto by the. pickup head 16.
FIG. 1B shows a conventional optical disk drive with the tray ejected. In FIG. 1B, the main body 11 of the optical disk drive comprises two fulcrums 18 and top protrusions 19 in the front on either side, guiding the tray 12 along track 121. The main body 11 and tray 12 of the conventional optical disk drive comprises a length requiring that a large portion of the tray 12 remain in the main body 11 when the tray 12 is open. The top protrusions 19 can be disposed internally, such that the horizontal distance d between each top protrusion 19 and fulcrum 18 is longer, preventing obvious vertical tilt when the tray 12 is ejected.
Currently, optical disk drives are shortened to reduce required space in device housings. FIG. 2A shows a conventional short optical disk drive. Because the main body 21 and the tray 22 of the conventional short optical disk drive 20 are shortened, only a short portion of the tray 22 remains in the main body 21 when the tray 22 is open. The top protrusions 29 are close to the front edge of the main body 21, providing sufficient support for the tray 22. The horizontal distance d′ between each top protrusion 29 and fulcrum 28, however, is shortened as shown in FIG. 2B, such that the ratio of the first horizontal distance d′ between the top protrusion 29 and the fulcrum 28 to the second horizontal distance D between the fulcrum 28 and a front end of the tray 22 is larger than that in the conventional long optical disk drive 10 in FIG. 1A. Thus, gaps between the tray 22 and the top protrusions 29 are increased, causing the tray 22 to tilt seriously downward as shown by arrow p in FIG. 2B, with increased jitter and noise when closing the tray 22.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention provides an optical disk drive with an improved tray structure, reducing vertical tilt thereof and noise when the tray closes.
An embodiment of the invention provides an optical disk drive having an anti-tilt tray. The optical disk drive comprises a top protrusion, a fulcrum and a tray. The tray is disposed on the main body of the optical disk drive along tracks constrained by the top protrusion and the fulcrum. The tray is movable between a first position and a second position. Each track of the tray has a gradually thickened area. When the tray is in the second position, one of the top protrusion and the fulcrum are pressed in the gradually thickened area. Once the fulcrum touches the thickened area, the gap can be reduced. For the same reason, while one of the top protrusion contacts the thickened area, the gap can also be reduced. Altogether, the gap between the track and the top protrusion is reduced, preventing vertical tilting.
The tray is received in the optical disk drive when in the first position, and opened when the tray is in the second position.
In addition, when the tray is in the second position, the ratio of a first horizontal distance between the fulcrum and a front end of the tray to a second horizontal distance between the top protrusion and the fulcrum is between 8 and 15. The thickened area thickens gradually from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.
Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will become more fully understood from the subsequent detailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a conventional optical disk drive;
FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a conventional optical disk drive when the tray is open;
FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a conventional short optical disk drive;
FIG. 2B is a schematic view of the conventional short optical disk drive when the tray is open;
FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the short optical disk drive of an embodiment of the invention when the tray is open;
FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of area a in FIG. 3A;
FIG. 3C is a top view of the tray of FIG. 3A;
FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of the short optical disk drive when the tray is open; and
FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of area b of FIG. 4A.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 3A shows the short optical disk drive of an embodiment of the invention with the tray ejected. For clarity, part of the housing 31 of the optical disk drive 30 is partially cut away to show the inner structure of the main body 31 and the tray 32.
In FIG. 3A, the optical disk drive 30 comprises a main body 31 and a tray 32. In addition, the optical disk drive 30 also comprises the spindle motor, pickup head, and driving module as shown in FIG. 2A. The main body 31 has two top protrusions 35 and fulcrums 38 (in FIG. 4A) on either side at the front thereof. The tray 32 has two tracks 34 on either side guided between the top protrusions 35 and fulcrums, movable between a first position and a second position. The tray 32 is received in the main body 31 when in the first position, and open when in the second position. The circular recess 33 is to receive an optical disk.
FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the area a of FIG. 3A. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the tray 32 has elastic elements 37 on the sidewall near the rear portion. The main body 31 has a stopper 36 near the top protrusions 35 to block the elastic elements 37 when the tray 32 is open, preventing the tray 32 from departing from the main body 31 of the optical disk drive 30.
FIG. 3C is a top view of the tray of FIG. 3A. In FIGS. 3A-3C, the tracks 34 of the tray 32 have a thickened area 341 respectively at the middle-rear portion thereof. The track 34 within the thickened areas 341 is thicker than the other portion thereof, such that the top protrusions 35 and the fulcrums enter the thick areas 341 when the tray 32 is open. The reduced gaps between the top protrusions 35 and the tracks 34 of the tray 32 prevent tilting for the short optical disk drive 30 of the invention.
FIG. 4A is a schematic side view of the short optical disk drive when the tray 32 is open, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of area a. In FIGS. 3A and 4A-4B, the main body 31 of the optical disk drive has two top protrusions 35 and fulcrums 38, guiding the tracks 34 of the tray 32 therebetween horizontally. When the tray 32 is opened to the second position, the top protrusions 35 and the fulcrums 38 contact the thickened areas 341 of the track 34, such that gaps between the top protrusions 35 and the tracks 34 of the tray 32 are reduced.
Preferably, the length of the short optical disk drive of the invention is 170 mm, and the length of the tray 32 is 165 mm. The tray 32 must be extended from the main body 31 for 140 mm to receive CDs of diameter 120 mm. The horizontal distance between each pair of top protrusions 35 and fulcrums 38 is between 8 and 20 mm, whereby the ratio of a first horizontal distance D between the fulcrum 38 and the front end of the tray 32 to a second horizontal distance t between the top protrusion 35 and the fulcrum 38 is between 8 and 15 when the tray 32 is in the second position.
In FIG. 4B, areas 341 are gradually increased from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. Thus, the gap between each track 34 and top protrusion 35 is gradually reduced during tray 32 is moving back toward the optical disk drive, reducing jitter and noise.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims (5)

1. An optical disk drive, comprising:
a main body with a top protrusion and a fulcrum;
a tray disposed on the main body along tracks constrained by the top protrusion and the fulcrum and movable between a first position and a second position, wherein each track has a gradually thickened area, and one of the top protrusion and the fulcrum contact the thickened area when the tray is in the second position.
2. The optical disk drive as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray is received in the main body when the tray is in the first position.
3. The optical disk drive as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tray is open when the tray is in the second position.
4. The optical disk drive as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the tray is in the second position, the ratio of a first horizontal distance between the fulcrum and a front end of the tray to a second horizontal distance between the top protrusion and the fulcrum is between 8 and 15.
5. The optical disk drive as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickened area thickens front 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.
US11/059,527 2004-03-03 2005-02-17 Optical disk drive with anti-tilt tray mechanism Expired - Fee Related US7325241B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TW93105488 2004-03-03
TW093105488A TWI240249B (en) 2004-03-03 2004-03-03 Disc drive with tilt-preventing tray

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050198653A1 US20050198653A1 (en) 2005-09-08
US7325241B2 true US7325241B2 (en) 2008-01-29

Family

ID=34910209

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/059,527 Expired - Fee Related US7325241B2 (en) 2004-03-03 2005-02-17 Optical disk drive with anti-tilt tray mechanism

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US7325241B2 (en)
TW (1) TWI240249B (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BR0210852A (en) * 2001-07-06 2004-08-24 Palantyr Res Llc Imaging system and methodology employing reciprocal spatial optical design
JP2007012161A (en) * 2005-06-30 2007-01-18 Orion Denki Kk Disk device provided with tray
KR101157829B1 (en) * 2005-08-30 2012-06-22 삼성전자주식회사 An optical disc drive
DE102005048600B4 (en) * 2005-10-06 2008-09-25 Klaus Rehm Method for collecting data
JP4806452B2 (en) * 2007-01-11 2011-11-02 パイオニア株式会社 Disk transport device and disk device
JP5669131B2 (en) * 2010-12-24 2015-02-12 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 Information processing device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001216703A (en) 2000-01-31 2001-08-10 Sony Corp Disk drive device
US6910218B2 (en) * 2001-11-08 2005-06-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Slim type optical disc drive
US7020884B2 (en) * 2001-11-15 2006-03-28 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Tray guide mechanism for an optical disc drive
US7103893B2 (en) * 2003-01-22 2006-09-05 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Loading mechanism and recording and reproduction apparatus including the same
US7140029B2 (en) * 2003-08-11 2006-11-21 Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd. Sliding mechanism for optical compact disk drive

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001216703A (en) 2000-01-31 2001-08-10 Sony Corp Disk drive device
US6910218B2 (en) * 2001-11-08 2005-06-21 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Slim type optical disc drive
US7020884B2 (en) * 2001-11-15 2006-03-28 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Tray guide mechanism for an optical disc drive
US7103893B2 (en) * 2003-01-22 2006-09-05 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Loading mechanism and recording and reproduction apparatus including the same
US7140029B2 (en) * 2003-08-11 2006-11-21 Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd. Sliding mechanism for optical compact disk drive

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW200531018A (en) 2005-09-16
US20050198653A1 (en) 2005-09-08
TWI240249B (en) 2005-09-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20030117928A1 (en) Tray guide mechanism for an optical disc drive
US7325241B2 (en) Optical disk drive with anti-tilt tray mechanism
JP4136989B2 (en) Disk unit
US7793314B2 (en) Disk drive device with arm for disc conveyance
US7404197B2 (en) Disk drive
JP4674584B2 (en) Disk drive device and base unit
US7162726B2 (en) Disk apparatus
US20070180457A1 (en) Disk device provided with tray
JP2007066430A (en) Guide shaft holding mechanism and optical disk drive provided with guide shaft holding mechanism
KR20040046270A (en) Tray guide structure for optical disc drive
JP2009199632A (en) Disk unit
KR100503809B1 (en) Disk drive
KR100498461B1 (en) Tray guide structure for optical disc drive
KR100555558B1 (en) Optical Pickup Transfer Device for Optical Disc Drive
KR200151885Y1 (en) Apparatus for preventing fault- insertion of a disk
JP4513731B2 (en) Disk drive device
JPH04313868A (en) Carriage mechanism for floppy disk device
US20090172716A1 (en) Disk Device
JPH04313867A (en) Carriage mechanism for floppy disk device
US20060085805A1 (en) Optical disk drive
US20060048174A1 (en) Thin disk drive
WO2001020608A1 (en) Disk drive
JPH04313869A (en) Carriage mechanism for floppy disk device
KR20050058920A (en) Optical apparatus
KR20030026531A (en) Optical disc drive

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC., TAIWAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHEN, CHEN-JUNG;REEL/FRAME:016287/0118

Effective date: 20040915

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

AS Assignment

Owner name: PEGATRON CORPORATION, TAIWAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.;REEL/FRAME:026809/0032

Effective date: 20110724

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20160129